by Jerry A. Topinka, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575
and Walter R. Welch, State of Maine Department of Marine Resources, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page............................................................................... i
Table of Contents.................................................... ii
Abstract..................................................iv
I. Sanctuary Nomination............................................ 1
A. Site Recommended...................................................1
B. Description of Area................................................1
C. Site Coordinates ................................................2
D. Site Area.................................................. 2
II. Submitting Institutions ................................................2
III. Principal Contacts ................................................2
IV. Site Features.................................................. 5
A. General Description ........................................ 8
B. Marine Science Research and Education..................................................9
1. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences...........11
2. State of Maine Department of Marine Resources.................................................11
3. University of Maine Darling Center ................... 12
4. National Marine Fisheries Service.................... 13
5. Sources for Scientific Information ................... 13
6. Scientific Data Deficiencies...................................................5
C. Historic, Cultural and Recreational Features .............. 16
1. The Islands ........................................... 16
2. The Mainland ................................................ 17
3. Indian Coastal Settlements ........................... 17
4. Shipwrecks ........................................... 18
5. Recreational Activity ................................ 20
6. Historic Data Deficiencies........................... 20
V. Description of Site Uses ...................................... 21
VI. Impact of Human Uses on Site .................................. 22
VII. Effect of Sanctuary on Site ................................... 23
Uses of Adjacent Areas........................................ 25
Sanctuary Management .......................................... 26,
Appendix......................................................28
A. Institutional Questionnaire ............................... 29
B. Scientific Questionnaire.................................. 48
C. Questionnaire ..................................... 50
D. Site Summary .............................................. 55
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ABSTRACT
Pursuant to Title III of the Marine Protection, Research, and
Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-532), a "Mid-Coastal Maine Marine
Sanctuary" is proposed for an area extending seaward from the mouths of
the Kennebec, Sheepscot and Damariscotta Rivers; and Johns and Muscongus
Bays.
The proposed area is defined as follows: longitude 69°15' to 69°50'; and latitude 43°35' to 43°52'. It extends 25.3 nautical miles east-west and 17 nautical miles north-south; encompassing 430 square nautical miles.
The principal reasons for selecting the area are as follows:
1. The physical features of the area include examples of nearly the entire Maine coastline and are typical of northern temperate inshore waters.
2. An extensive list of features of biological interest includes endangered or threatened species, spawning areas, marine mammals, and unique species locations.
3. The area sustains the type of non-destructive, mutually- compatible, multiple uses that we envision much of the Maine coast will eventually see. Such uses include commercial and recreational fishing, light commercial marine traffic, and recreational boating.
4. A broad and varied background of research in the area extends back as much as 77 years.
5. The accessibility of three major research and educational institutions in the immediate area of the proposed sanctuary will promote considerable interest in its use.
I. SANCTUARY NOMINATION
A. Site Recommended
The specific site proposed lies in the coastal waters of the Gulf of
Maine adjacent to the Kennebec, Sheepscot, and Damariscotta estuaries,
including waters around and westerly of Monhegan Island.
The region proposed is a representative mid-coastal Maine site. Considerable effort was directed toward site selection. Site selection information was solicited by sending three questionnaires to a broad range of institutions and individuals. The first questionnaire was sent to 47 marine research laboratories, educational institutions, conservation groups and state agencies. The second and third questionnaires were sent to scientific colleagues and persons with fishing interests. Marine Sanctuary responses were summarized and evaluated in a document entitled, "A Summary of Site Suggestions for a Marine Sanctuary for the State of Maine." The aforementioned questionnaires and documents, together with mailing lists, are included as an appendix.
B. Description of Area
The mid-coastal Maine site is a typical temperate inshore Maine area
with great habitat diversity. This is also one of the best known coastal
regions and has in its vicinity the greatest concentration of marine
research and educational facilities found in northern New England.
Included in this site are the mouths of three major 'estuaries, two
bays, several offshore islands and a large inshore region. Vertically, this
site contains intertidal, shallow, and deep water zones which vary greatly
in bottom type, wave exposfrre, and biological components.
Specifically, this site extends seaward from the mouths of the Kennebec, Sheepscot, and Damariscotta Rivers, and Johns and Muscongus Bays to include several nearshore islands. These islands include Southport, Seguin, Damariscove, Fisherman's, Inner Heron, Outer Heron, White,Squirrel, Georges, and Monhegan Islands, The boundaries of this area are given in Figs, 1 and 2,
C. Site Coordinates
The coordinates of the site are as follows:
Longitude 69°15' to 69°50'
Latitude 43°35' to 43°52'
D. Site Area
This rectangular site has an area of 430 square nautical miles.
II. SUBMITTING INSTITUTIONS
State of Maine Department of Marine Resources, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575
III. PRINCIPAL CONTACTS
Jerry A. Topinka
Senior Research Scientist,
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575
207/633-2173
Walter R, Welch
Assistant Director, Bureau of Marine Sciences
State of Maine Department of Marine Resources
West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575
207/633-5572
IV. SITE FEATURES
A. General Description
A. The mid-coastal Maine site is a productive temperate water coastal site that supports an extensive array of activities and uses. Physically, this area is quite complex, containing many habitats which support diverse biological populations. While primary productivity varies within the site, this region is extremely productive. Although phytoplankton are one of the major manufacturers of organic food matter, intertidal and subtidal macroalgae contribute substantially to this food production. Benthic macroalgae from rocky bottoms and mudflats also have an input. Additional dissolved and particulate organic matter also come from terrestrial origin. Together, these contributions account for high levels of organic food production. The varied nature of the plants involved adds a high degree of diversity to this food production. High rates of food production combined with a great diversity of food products, and a diverse physical regime, no doubt account for the high and diverse levels of animal production.
A wide variety of habitats are manifest within this region, each supporting its own biological community. In the intertidal, rocky shore is a dominant habitat. Also present in the intertidal are cobble, gravel and sand shores. In more wave-sheltered locations mudflats are found, often with an upper margin of salt marsh. In the subtidal, shallow and deep water bottoms are commonly composed of rock ledge, large stones, gravel, sand or mud, often in a multitude of combinations. In some instances, one organism or a group of organisms may also b,e so dominant so as to greatly modify bottom habitat. Beds of rockweed, kelp, mussels or salt marsh are good examples of this. Many of these habitats are also found under varying regimes of wave exposure, tidal currents, temperature and nutrients which modify their biological communities.
Water columns overlying different bottom types also show considerable variations. In the intertidal, these water columns are transient but may cover large areas in wave-sheltered coves. In shallow and deep water situations, water column differences occur between estuarine and marine areas, in addition to regions in-which these waters mix. Considerable variations in overlying waters are also found between shallow and deep water regions as well as between estuaries having different flushing rates. Pelagic communities in all these areas are influenced by bottom type, water depth, vertical and horizontal mixing processes, temperature, light, salinity, nutrient concentrations and recent water history. It is most apparent that a vast array of combinations of environmental factors exist which support many diverse biological populations at the proposed sanctuary site.
This site is also unique in that it is the center for much of the marine research and educational activities in the State. Three of the major research and educational institutions lie within or in close proximity to the sanctuary site. These include the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources Laboratory in Boothbay Harbor, the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Boothbay Harbor, and the University of Maine Darling Center in Walpole. The institutions provide for a very diverse array of scientific studies and educational activities. Together they provide a framework that would be important to the successful operation of a Marine Sanctuary in this region. Such a framework provides much of the baseline data on the resources and the functioning of the system. Much of what would need to be known about this system already exists, These institutions maintain high levels of activity and those endeavors are continuing and could serve the needs of the sanctuary.
This site supports many active fisheries, including those for lobsters, soft shelled clams, worms, herring, cod, shrimp, salmon, smelt, alewife, eels and various groundfish. Some of the major fisheries interests are summarized in Table 1. Many of these fisheries are of vital importance to this region. Additionally, this area contains organisms such as bald eagle, ospreys, and shortnosed sturgeon which are relatively rare. Harbor seals, whales, and porpoise are also commonly observed.
Table 1. Significant Marine Resource Observations
1. The lower Sheepscot Bay is an important Atlantic cod spawning area.
2. A major resident northern shrimp population is located in lower
Sheepscot Bay and is under study by DMR.
3. A fall spawning area for Atlantic herring is located around Pumpkin
Ledges.
4. Atlantic sea-run salmon run into Sheepscot Bay and migrating salmon
pass the promontories of the area.
5. Rainbow smelt, alewife, and American eels are present in rivers and
streams of this area.
6. Monhegan Island has a unique winter fishing season for American
lobster in its surrounding waters.
7. A population of European oysters naturalized since 1949, is .
protected by Department of Marine Resources law in the vicinity of
Boothbay Harbor.
8. Since early 1960s, NMFS and DHR have conducted studies of
occurrence and abundance of herring larvae in Sheepscot estuary.
9. Since 1953, NMFS and DNR have conducted studies of the occurrence
and abundance of green crabs in Sheepscot estuary.
10. Baseline environmental information for the area dates back to the
mid-1960s and some to 1905. Continuously-recorded variables
include: surface and bottom sea temperatures, air temperature,
salinity, wind speed and direction, dewpoint, barometric pressure,
tidal height, and precipitation.
11. Waters around Monhegan Island have been a persistent location of
high levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning in shellfish.
12. Important harbor seal colonies are located at Black Rocks and the Hypocrites.
13. The shortnosed sturgeon, an endangered species, found in Sheepscot
River, Montsweag Bay, and Kennebec River.
B. Marine Science Research and Education
The research and educational efforts of the three major institutions are complementary. The levels of their activity are summarized in Table 2, In general, the work at the Bigelow Laboratory focuses more on basic research, while the efforts of the Department of Marine Resources Laboratory are directed toward marine resource work. Their significant resource observations are listed in Table 1. The University of Maine Darling Center concentrates on both academic and applied science to serve undergraduate and graduate students as well as the research interests of its faculty.
Considerable cooperation already exists among these institutions and involves many joint programs. For example, the University of Maine and the Department of Marine Resources work together on Sea Grant projects and share a joint faculty position. The Bigelow Laboratory and the Department of Marine Resources work together on projects dealing with red tide, fisheries resources and oil pollution. The University of Maine also works with the Bigelow Laboratory on a National Science Foundation initiative to stimulate basic science in Maine. These programs demonstrate a willingness to work together toward common goals.
The establishment of a Marine Sanctuary will enhance these levels of
cooperation.
1. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
The research conducted by the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
is directed towards gaining a better understanding of ocean
productivity. Basic research efforts concentrate on the ways in which
physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms support marine life. Much
activity is devoted toward the factors that control the primary
production of organic food matter in the sea. This is complemented by
studies of the productivity of the larger coastal plants. Programs in
basic research also include investigations of water movements, chemical
entities, benthic invertebrates and fish. Applied facets of laboratory
activity include.fisheries production, red tide development, tidal power
and pollution investigations dealing with oil, heavy metals, drilling
activities, nitrosamines, chelators and various organic pollutants.
The Bigelow Laboratory is also involved in a wide variety of educational programs and services. These include seminars, lectures for various groups, research presentations, and the teaching of courses. A special effort is also made to include high school and college students in the research activities at the laboratory. Working and learning experience opportunities are also offered to more advanced students and young scientists who have sincere interests in marine science.
2. State of Maine Department of Marine Resources
The efforts of the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources
Laboratory are directed toward the research and development of marine
resources in addition to management and enforcement activities. The
department was primarily concerned with law enforcement until 1938, when
the rearing of finfish and lobsters began. This change in direction
initiated a gradual increa-.e in clam, lobster, and finfish research.
Research programs now include work on clams, scallops, lobsters, shrimp, herring, groundfish, anadromous fish and marine worms.
Present public service programs include pollution monitoring, pathology, fisheries statistics, and environmental monitoring. The Department of Marine Resources also conducts a broad based educational program. These activities include lectures; consultations with fishermen; tours; marine resource classes; the operation of a marine aquarium; the involvement of students in its programs; and supplying courses, demonstrations, and teaching aids to primary and secondary schools.
3. University of Maine Darling Center
The University of Maine and its Darling Center laboratory at Walpoie
explore a wide realm of research and educational activities oriented around marine science.
As a Sea Grant institution, the University of Maine conducts many studies of finfish, shellfish and seaweed that constitute the basic research for resource management. Shellfish aquaculture and marine products are also areas of great interest. Pollution investigations have included massive efforts to examine the effects of the nuclear power plant in Wiscasset on the marine system and its resources. Many basic science or "academic" projects are also undertaken.
The education of its students remains one of-the primary responsibilities of the marine science program at the University of Maine. Numerous undergraduate and graduate courses are offered in the major physical, chemical, and biological disciplines of oceanography. Students also have valuable opportunities to participate in research programs.
In addition, the University is heavily involved with educational activities for the public. These include conferences, lectures, seminars, meetings with fishermen, and the publishing of considerable marine resource and product information.
4. National Marine Fisheries Service
While the National Marine Fisheries Service and its predecessor
agencies operated a facility at Boothbay Harbor, many valuable fisheries
efforts were made. Between 1905 and 1949 this agency served principally
as a hatchery for the spawning, hatching, rearing, and planting of cod,
flounder, and lobster. Between 1950 and 1973 this organization
functioned as a fisheries research laboratory with programs involving
soft shelled clams, lobster, herring, and Atlantic salmon. Considerable
exploratory fisheries research was also undertaken. Although the
National Marine Fisheries Service no longer maintains a facility in
Boothbay Harbor, it does maintain involvement in herring, groundfish,
shrimp, and scallop fisheries.
5. Sources for Scientific Information
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Bigelow Laboratory Annual Reports, 1974-82
Bigelow Laboratory Scientific Contributions, 1974-79
Bigelow Laboratory List of Scientific Contributions and
Technical Reports, 1974-82
State of Maine Department of Marine Resources
Department of Marine Resources index to publications, 1946-78
Department of Marine Resources list of publications, 1977
Department of Marine Resources index of Research Reference
Documents, 1978-82
University of Maine Darling Center
Alan Russel, Administrative Officer, University of Maine
Natural Resources Bibliography Pertaining Specifically to the Proposed Site
Dow, R,L. 1968. The Gulf of Maine as a research and experimental area, Maine Dept. Sea and Shore Fisheries, General Bulletin No. 9, 12 pp,
Foster, W.S. 1954. Sea Moss (Chondrus crispus) survey - West Point to
Pemaquid Neck, Maine Dept. of Sea and Shore Fisheries, General Bulletin no. 4, 12 pp.
Graham, J.J. 1970. Temperature, salinity, and transparency observa-
tions, coastal Gulf of rfaine, 1°62-65. U,S, Fish Wild, Serv., Data
Rep. 42, 44 pp on 2 microfiche.
Graham, J,J. 1972. Retention of larval herring within the Sheepscot
estuary of Maine. Fish Bull. 70(2), pp, 299-305.
Graham, J.J, and C.H. Davis. 1976, Estimates of the number of larval
herring in a channel of the Sheepscot estuary: its value as a
nursery ground. Maine Dept, of Marine Resources, Research
Bulletin no 38, 17 pp.
Hanks, R.W, 1964. A benthic community in the Sheepscot River estuary,
Maine. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Fish, Bull., 63, 343-353.
Krouse, J.S. 1973. Maturity, sea ratio, and size composition of the
natural population of American lobster, Homarus americanus, along
the Maine coast. Fishery Bulletin 71(1), pp. 165-174.
Krouse, J,S. 1976. Size composition and growth of young rock crab,
Cancer irroratus, on a rocky beach in Maine, Fishery Bulletin
74(4), pp. 949-959.
Larsen, P.F. 1975. New England oyster fauna - a preliminary checklist
with annotations of potential associates of the American oyster,
Crassostrea virginica, in New England. TRIGOM, Publ. no. 19, 42 pp.
Perkins, L.F: and P.F. Larsen. 1975. A preliminary checklist of the
marine and estuarine invertebrates of Maine. TRIGOM, Publ, no. 10,
37 PP.
Stickney, A.P. 1959. Ecology of the Sheepscot River estuary. U.S.
Fish Wildh. Serv. spec. Sci• Rep. Fish. 309, 21 pp.
Stickney, A.P, and H.C. Perkins• 1981. Observations on the food of the
larvae of the northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis Kroyer (Decapoda
Caridia). Crustacean 40(1), pp. 36-49.
Welch, W.R. 1966. The European oyster, Ostrea edulis, in Maine, Proc.
Nat. Shellfish. Ass. 54, 7-23
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